For my first review, I will be discussing one of my favorite horror movies from last year: “Smile 2,” the sequel to 2022’s “Smile.” This movie, written and directed by Parker Finn, had many people feeling astoundingly terrified. The first movie starred Sosie Bacon (Kevin Bacon’s daughter), Kyle Gallner and Jessie Usher, while this new installment stars Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt and Ray Nicholson, son of Jack Nicholson from “The Shining.”
This sequel had much to live up to, given the end of the last movie. In the ending of the first “Smile” movie, Rose Cotter (Bacon), haunted by the “smile” demonic entity, committed suicide in front of her ex-boyfriend, Joel (Gallner). When the demon curse reaches Skye Riley (Scott) in “Smile 2,” things heat up in the best way possible for those who love all of the thrills that come with horror. From smiling dancers to creepy fans at meet-and-greets, this profound sequel feels especially daunting.
Originally, many thought the sequel did not need to happen, but it was welcomed with open arms after the first trailer aired. “Smile 2” follows pop star Skye Riley, who is as big as Taylor Swift in the “Smile” universe. Riley is followed around by the “smile” demon, which makes people who are haunted by it see hallucinations of creepy smiles until it possesses the host, making them take their lives in front of another person, which then passes the curse onto them.
“Smile 2” is a magnificent hit for those who want to get into more horror. The film offers a lot of great jump scares to get people feeling incredibly uncomfortable and unsettled the entire time when seeing all of the frightening grins on screen. Scott’s harrowing performance is Oscar worthy, and even though this movie did not get nominated at the Oscars, as most horror movies do not, one can certainly say that her performance proves that performances in movies like this can deliver powerful messages surrounding difficult topics like trauma. With the potential for a third movie, I am curious to see if they end up addressing the trauma lens of the series and how to heal from it. With that regard, I am sure that it will be able to satisfy fans, with people thinking that “Smile 3” will be even better than “Smile 2,” with higher stakes and even more haunting jump scares. Until then, this sequel stands as a great introduction for anyone looking to get into horror films.
Members of the St. Joe’s community seeking support are encouraged to contact the following resources:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 610-660-1090
Campus Ministry, 610-660-1030
The Office of Student Outreach & Support, 610-660-1149
The Jesuit community, 610-660-1400
Employee Assistance Program, 866-799-2728
CineHawk Score: 9/10
